Democratic Republic of Congo -- World Speech Day is a day dedicated to celebrating speeches and speech making, through a multitude of live speaking events across the globe.On the 22nd of March The Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Kinshasa opened its doors to primary and secondary school students to share their ideas and vision for the world. This was the second ...
Australia & New Zealand -- The University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and the University of Central Asia (UCA), signed an agreement in Australia to strengthen the relationship between the Institutions and encourage cooperation in the field of Communications and Media on 12 September 2017. "We look forward to great things happening with this partnership," said Professor Andrew Parfitt, Provost and Senior ...
India -- It's a warm summer morning in Dushanbe as 21 year old Niqat Patel waits patiently at the helipad to board the chopper to Khorog. It's a warm summer morning in Dushanbe as 21 year old Niqat Patel waits patiently at the helipad to board the chopper to Khorog. The ride from Dushanbe to Khorog is over 16 hours by ...
TKN -- Faruq Vishram is an electrical engineer with a vision to light up lives by helping to develop renewable energy projects in Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan. His TKN assignment began in March 2015 to support a project funded by Global Affairs Canada to introduce solar energy to the newly inaugurated Bamyan Provincial Hospital in Afghanistan. The hospital, built by Aga ...
United States -- How the Jamat Celebrated the Inauguration of the Diamond Jubilee Year"I had such a memorable experience participating in the opening ceremony dance. It felt so rewarding to show our love for the Imam through our performance. We spent many hours practicing for it, and I was lucky to have a hardworking team with whom I was able to ...
United States -- "This is the first of many programs to come," said Imran Dhatwani, President of Ismaili Council for Midwestern USA. "We want the Glenview Jamatkhana to be known as a safe place for dialogue and friendship for all."Continuing with the essence of utilizing the Ismaili Jamatkhanas as a space for dialogue and engagement, the Glenview Jamatkhana hosted an interfaith ...
United States -- The theme of connectedness played a major role in setting the tone for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.For days leading up to Diamond Jubilee, volunteers in the Northeastern United States worked tirelessly to prepare for the highly anticipated, momentous, and memorable occasion. Through sleepless nights and countless hours of logistical meetings, site setup, and performance practices, the Northeastern USA ...
Democratic Republic of Congo -- During a bright sunny morning on 7th May, 2017 the seniors of the Kinshasa Jamat gathered to reaffirm their commitment to a healthy lifestyle. The event was organized by the Social Welfare Board & the senior citizen committee. The President of the National council was among the attendees. The event began with a conventional welcome speech ...
United States -- To generate discussion on the nature and significance of these developments, The Institute of Ismaili Studies organized a seminar entitled 'Intellectual Traditions in Islam' held at the University of Cambridge, in August 1994. The key papers presented at the seminar have now become accessible through this publication to a wider audience of scholars, students and the general public.The ...
United States -- Central US Jamat Comes Together in Dallas for the Diamond Jubilee CelebrationDallas' excitement for Mawlana Hazar Imam's Diamond Jubilee spilled over from the bustling Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center to the Omni Hotel next door.The Omni had changed its iconic light display - all 23 feet of it - to say "Diamond Jubilee." From afar, passersby could recognized ...
United States -- The Early Childhood Development Corner is filled with both children and parents immersed in creative and fun activities.Diamond Jubilee has been a very exciting time for many Ismailis around the world. This occasion is even more special for the families who are celebrating a Jubilee for the first time with their children. Children, who were born and were ...
United States -- "Work no words." "Work no words." This short motto uttered by Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah is engraved on pins worn by dedicated individuals across the country. It is a deeply symbolic reminder that volunteerism and service, or seva, is a fundamental ethic of Ismailism. On July 11, the combined Southwestern Jamat poured in through the doors of NRG ...
United States -- Excerpt from Mawlana Hazar Imam, addressing the leaders of the global Jamat at his residence, Aiglemont, France, July 11, 2017 "Ours is an intellectual tradition which premiates the pursuit of knowledge, that is to be used to better understand Allah's creation, and for the good of larger society. Live your faith through acquiring knowledge with which to help ...
Global -- Yesterday, the Portuguese Republic and the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa each bestowed honours and tributes upon Mawlana Hazar Imam. The visit to Portugal was Hazar Imam's first official public event since the commencement of his Diamond Jubilee. Lisbon, 21 July 2017 -- Portugal lauded Mawlana Hazar Imam yesterday, as the Portuguese Republic and the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa each ...
United States -- Adults and children explore the Reflections Lounge, beginning their journey with Jubilee Passport.As one entered the Jubilee hall, one could not help but notice countless volunteers beaming with energy, showing Jamati members how to use the pocket-sized booklet, the Jubilee Passport. It contained pages of to-do activities, enabling the Jamat to reflect upon the Imam's sixty years of ...
United States -- Three senior members of the Jamat, all from California, express how the Diamond Jubilee year has inspired voluntary service, self-reflection or both. Desire, time and the ability to serve. Those are three attributes our senior Jamati members aged 60 and up have demonstrated for years -- and for three exceptional California seniors, this Diamond Jubilee year is no ...
United States -- The Jamat from the Northeast came together in Philadelphia's Expo Center, to celebrate Hazar Imam's Diamond Jubilee. Planning for this day started a year ago when Hazar Imam graciously consented to commemorate the 60th year of his Imamat as the Diamond Jubilee year. The very next day, the journey to the road to celebrate this historic occasion began. ...
United States -- During the trek from Uganda to Nairobi for Mawlana Hazar Imam's Takht Nashini, the truck carrying Izzat Nurani's family overturned, killing two of her loved ones and injuring several others."God only gives you how much you can handle," she whispered, after narrating a heartbreaking story about having to start her life over not once, not twice, but three ...
Global -- Hurricane Harvey has been referred to as a "1,000-year flood," with its 50 inches of rainfall exceeding all records for the continental USA. It is estimated that damage from the storm will surpass that of hurricanes Sandy (New Jersey 2012) and Katrina (Louisiana 2005) combined. Volunteers have worked to reach Jamati members and others affected by the flooding, and ...
United States -- "With just a phone call, they reached us and took my family safely. 'Thank you,' is too small an expression for these great hands of help. I am really proud to be a part of this community. Thanks." Dr. Lakshmi Puppala, who was rescued from her home in Houston, by an Ismaili volunteer."This unprecedented storm has affected millions ...
United States -- While the Homage Ceremony was designed to encourage reflection, Jamati members found creative ways to personalize the experience, beyond a single day. Natasha Ladhani spoke with some of them.Throughout the day of the Diamond Jubilee Opening Ceremonies various Jamati members used the site's reflection spaces to ponder what this Jubilee means to them. The hallmark of this exercise ...
United States -- Painting different subjects in varying styles, an artist illustrates her talent.If there is a style, Nazlee Ramji, of Houston, can probably paint it.From acrylic and oil paints, to glass beads, sequins and rhinestones, her work exudes an impressive versatility. Using bold, rich colors and from her traditional Persian style to the bright hues and defined lines of her ...
United States -- One of the proud traditions of New York Headquarters Jamatkhana is celebrating Ruz-e-Nur. It is quite a new tradition at this Jamatkhana, only dating back to 2011 as an official Jamati celebration, introduced by Manhattan Jamatkhana. Traditions are a large part of the Ismaili community. There is a plethora of cultures that thrive within the Ismaili faith because ...
United States -- Encouraged by globalization and recognizing the needs of the developing world, healthcare professionals are taking opportunities to serve a larger population and make a significant impact. It's simple - go where the patients are. Encouraged by globalization and recognizing the needs of the developing world, healthcare professionals are taking opportunities to serve a larger population and make a ...
United States -- A road trip inspired by the shortage of clean water for the residents in Flint, Michigan.By day, he is a digital marketing consultant; by night and over the weekend, Sunny Taj from Houston is a civil society engineer. "Sunny has served in various capacities, from being the regional marketing lead for the Aga Khan Foundation to raising funds ...
United States -- The One Jamat Dance Brings Performers Together in HoustonForty-three dancers from 11 years to the early 40s were positioned in two lines -- ballet shoes tied, excitement and nerves abundant as they walked inside the Houston NRG arena. Just minutes before, there was so much acitvity -- volunteers helping with hair and makeup in one corner, small group ...
United States -- Nourishment for the Homage Ceremony commenced weeks before the day.Thirty days, 29 days, 28 days, all the way to T minus one: the countdown progressed. July 11, 2017 marked the beginning of Mawlana Hazar Imam's Diamond Jubilee commemoration. However, the Jamats' celebrations, reflections, and engagement began weeks earlier. Each day preceding July 11, the Jamat was showered with ...
United States -- The Diamond Jubilee Passport provided Jamati members with a means to celebrate, reflect, and recognize volunteers for their service.Several key messages were carefully placed inside a pocket-sized notebook, the Jubilee Passport, and distributed to the Jamat during the Diamond Jubilee Opening Ceremony. The Jubilee Passport encouraged us all of us to embark on a personal and spiritual journey ...
United States -- Ismailis from all over the Midwest, came together as One Jamat at the Midwest Diamond Jubilee Opening Ceremonies.The echo of each beating drum bounced through the hall; the vibrations of the triangle troupe was felt in the distance. Anticipation built, as the Jamat awaited the beginning of the One Jamat launch, which commenced with a parade. The parade ...
United States -- Senior members of the Houston Jamat recall the Silver Jubilee of Mawlana Hazar Imam.Celebrating the Diamond Jubilee on July 11 in Houston's NRG Center brought immeasurable amounts of happiness and joy to many, along with a time to reminisce on Mawlana Hazar Imam's first Jubilee and the experiences that came with it. Thousands gathered on the joyous occasion ...
United States -- Youngsters experiencing their first Jubilee explore the significance of Mawlana Hazar Imam's Diamond Jubilee.Life buzzed inside the Reflections Lounge on July 11 as the Southeast Jamat enjoyed a multitude of activities that encouraged self-reflection for one's personal journey. One such area, the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Zone was filled with children participating in different activities with their parents. ...
United States -- Veteran and first-time Jubilee dancers reflect and prepare in the moments before performing for thousands of Jamati members.Just minutes before the Diamond Jubilee performance, the dressing room was overflowing with anticipation, laughter, chants, and clapping. Nearly 40 performers darted around the cluttered room, taking care of last-minute makeup and costume touch-ups. "All adrenaline is high right now," said ...
United States -- Across the country, families gathered to draw on metallic tiles to express their felicitations for the Imam on the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee.Children, elders, and adults excitedly gather around a table in the Santa Clara, California Jamatkhana. Everyone is excited, discussing what to draw on their metal mosaic tiles with gold and white markers. Some are deeper ...
United States -- The Diamond Jubilee Opening Ceremonies were awaited with anticipation in a symphony of our ongoing wonderful history.From a whispering wind to a chirping cricket, a honking car to the "lub-dub" of our heart, music is ever-present. It conducts itself through and around us. Every aspect of life can be seen as a musical note of some kind: high, ...
IC EVENT ON 5 September 2017 -- Ismaili Centre Toronto -- Join British photographer Jessica Fulford-Dobson for an artist's talk and discussion at the Ismaili Centre, Toronto at 7 p.m. Following the presentation, enjoy a skateboarding performance and the artist's outdoor photography installation in the Aga Khan Park featuring portraits of the fierce and feisty young girls who are participants of ...
United States -- The Aga Khan Development Network is delighted to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of California, Los Angeles' David Geffen School of Medicine for intellectual stimulation and support in establishing world class standards of healthcare across AKDN institutions in East Africa. The Aga Khan Development Network is delighted to announce the signing of ...
Sachin-Jigar, the rising stars of the Indian movie industry have given music on a number of different platforms including plays, movies and television series. Jigar Saraiya was assisting Music Director Rajesh Roshan when he met Sachin Sanghvi. They joined their hands and started assisting Pritam. They then programmed and arranged for almost all music directors in Bollywood from the legend A.R. ...
United States -- It was a day of memories as the Southeast Jamat celebrated the Diamond Jubilee in Atlanta.Years of anticipation, and many months of planning and preparations culminated into moments of exhilaration as the Southeast Jamat got together to celebrate the much awaited Diamond Jubilee of Mawlana Hazar Imam. As the exuberant Jamat from Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, and ...
Australia & New Zealand -- Guest at Eid Al Fitr celebrations held at Fickling Convention Centre (Three Kings) in Auckland on July 8, 2017 were keen to learn about the 'Ismaili Community,' which had organised the event. The population of Ismail Muslims in New Zealand and Australia is small but they have been pursuing the tenets of their belief, the most ...
Australia & New Zealand -- Shia Ismaili Imam calls on community to support education, invigorate civil society institutions, and seek knowledge to benefit all Gouvieux, France, 11 July 2017 -His Highness the Aga Khan commenced his Diamond Jubilee, or 60th year as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the world's Shia Ismaili Muslims. This worldwide celebration brings together the global ...
